Synergistic Hybrid Support Comprising TiO<sub>2</sub>–Carbon and Ordered PdNi Alloy for Direct Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis
Tan‐Thanh Huynh, Wei‐Hsiang Huang, Meng‐Che Tsai, Mawan Nugraha, Shu‐Chih Haw, Jyh‐Fu Lee, Wei‐Nien Su, Bing−Joe Hwang
Abstract
The development of high-activity catalysts with good selectivity for the direct synthesis of H2O2 from H2 and O2 remains challenging. TiO2–C used as a support material is able to facilitate strong metal–support interactions. We designed catalysts for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide that utilized the synergistic effects of hybrid TiO2–C supports and ordered alloyed PdNi nanoparticles in a neutral reaction solution. Through thermal hydrogen treatment, the ordered structure of the alloyed PdNi nanocatalysts was transformed. 1H NMR was used to measure the amount of water formed as an estimate of selectivity. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed an excellent dispersion of the bimetallic PdNi nanocatalyst on the hybrid support. X-ray absorption spectroscopy gave clear evidence of metal–support interactions with electron transfer from the ordered alloyed PdNi nanocatalysts to the defect TiO2–C support, resulting in a noteworthy performance with high H2O2 productivity and selectivity under ambient conditions. This work provides a route to an economically viable alternative to existing Pd-based heterogeneous catalysts for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.